Book Synopsis:

Cosy up in front of a fire and discover Christmas the Norwegian way…full of romance, cosy traditions and hygge!

In the bleak midwinter…
A really frosty wind is making Holly’s life absolutely miserable

After all the years of hard work it took Londoner Holly Greene to become a doctor, now it could all be taken away and she only has herself to blame. She’s retreating to her brother’s rustic home on an island off the coast of Norway to lick her wounds. Only, it’s the middle of winter and icy slush plus endless darkness isn’t exactly the cheery, festive getaway she had imagined.

Nearly stumbling off the edge of a cliff in the dark, Holly is saved by Frøy, a yellow-eyed cat of fearsome but fluffy proportions, and his owner – grouchy, bearded recluse, Tor. Tor has his own problems to face but the inexplicable desire to leave a bag of freshly baked gingerbread men on Holly’s doorstep is seriously getting in the way of his hermit routine.

Call it kindness, call it Christmas, but Holly’s arrival means midwinter has never looked less bleak.

Christmas Island is published on the 30th November 2020 in ebook in paperback on the 14th October 2021. The ebook is currently only 99p. You can pre-order your copy using the link below.

My Review:

This was a wonderful, uplifting escapist read which has definitely helped get me into the Christmas spirit. I think that this would be the perfect book to read on the run up to Christmas preferably curled up under a cosy blanket with a hot drink.

Firstly the author does a great job of setting the scene in this book and I loved the vivid descriptions of the beautiful, rugged Island. There is a lot of information about Norway and their Christmas customs included in the story which I found fascinating to learn about. The food in particular is wonderfully described and sounded incredibly yummy, that I wished I could try it too.

The characters are all brilliant creations and I enjoyed following them throughout the book. I absolutely loved funny, quirky Holly and warmed to her quickly. Her budding relationship with Tor, the local hermit, was lovely to read about. They seemed to compliement each other really well and I loved the chemistry between them. I found I had to keep reading to find out what happens to them.

Overall I really enjoyed this heartwarming, festive read from a new author for me. There was something very addictive about the story and I often found myself thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading. The recipes at the back of the book were a nice touch and I can’t wait to try some of them soon.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to One More Chapter for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to get into the festive spirit!

About The Author:

Natalie Normann grew up in a shipping town on the west-coast of Norway and always wanted to be a writer. Actually, she wanted to smoke cigars and drink whiskey like Hemingway but settled for chocolate and the occasional glass of Baileys.

Her writing journey started with short stories in women’s magazines until her first book was published in 1995.

Summer Island is her first romance written in English.

Book Synopsis:

Don’t miss the brand-new book from the Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Lewis!

I can’t forgive myself. Not after what I did.  Could you?

 
This is Claudia Winters’s last chance for a fresh start. Changing her name and leaving her old life behind, she has fled to the small town of Kesterly with her mother and daughter. Here, she hopes they can be safe for the first time in years.

But the past can’t stay hidden forever. And even as Claudia makes new friends and builds a new life, she can’t help feeling it’s all about to catch up with her… Until one disastrous night changes everything forever.

Tense, emotional and gripping, Susan Lewis’s latest novel is a spellbinding story of love, family, and the price of forgiveness.

Forgive Me is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author so I was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for this fantastic book. Once again the author has written a highly emotional, gripping and compelling read which was hugely enjoyable.

I absolutely loved the characters in this book who were all strong, relatable ones that I found easy to empathise with. I especially liked Claudia for having the strength to start a new life despite how difficult it would be. The character’s definitely go on a huge journey and I found it very interesting to follow them throughout the book. Some of the characters really got under my skin while others I fell in love with and I’ll be thinking about for a long time. I always think it shows great skill by an author to make you care that much about their characters.

This story develops at a great pace and there is always an underlying feeling of tension as the reader wonders whether Claudia’s past will catch up with her. It’s definitely an exciting story which is full of mystery and with lots of twists that kept me in suspense until the end. Some of the events in this book are quite harrowing and it was quite emotional to see them unfold. However this isn’t just a sad read, I felt that the underlying message was actually one of hope and, as the title suggests, forgiveness.

Overall I thought this was a fabulous read which I will be recommending to everyone. There are some important issues explored in this book which I found very interesting to learn more about, especially the concept of restorative justice which I had heard about but didn’t know how it worked. It was interesting to see it in action and I can definitely see how it could work in some situations. I think this would be a great book club read as there would be lots to discuss.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper Fiction for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Susan Lewis is the internationally bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband, James and mischievous dogs, Coco and Lulu.
To find out more about Susan Lewis:
http://www.susanlewis.com
http://www.facebook.com/SusanLewisBooks
@susanlewisbooks

Book Synopsis:

Global temperatures are rising.
The climate of the Abrams’ marriage is cooling.

Emma is beginning to wonder whether relationships, like mortgages, should be conducted in five-year increments. She might laugh if Chris had bought a motorbike or started dyeing his hair. Instead he’s buying off-label medicines and stockpiling food.

Chris finds Emma’s relentless optimism exasperating. A tot of dread, a nip of horror, a shot of anger – he isn’t asking much. If she would only join him in a measure of something.

The family’s precarious eco-system is further disrupted by torrential rains, power cuts and the unexpected arrival of Chris’s mother. Emma longs to lower a rope and winch Chris from the pit of his worries. But he doesn’t want to be rescued or reassured – he wants to pull her in after him.

Darkly funny and beautifully written, When the Lights Go Out is a novel for our times: a story about cultivating hope and weathering change.

When The Lights Go Out is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

This is a beautifully written, thought provoking book which gives a very interesting and honest glimpse into a couple’s marriage.

Firstly the characters are all incredibly vivid, engaging ones some of whom I really like others that I loved to hate. Chris was definitely in the later category and I found myself getting increasingly frustrated by him as the book goes on. Some of his beliefs are so mad, like the fact he takes his sons for long runs so they could escape from floodwater, where so unbelievable that I found myself laughing out loud. He’s absolutely obsessed about climate change and is incredibly annoying with it so much so that I wished I could reach into the story and give him a shake. I did feel a little bit of sympathy for him too however as it’s not completely his fault that he feels this way as the reader soon discovers on meeting his mother.

The author paints a fairly bleak picture of what the world could look like in the future which was quite shocking to read about. I must confess that I didn’t realise some of the effects that climate change could have on the world, so found it quite interesting to learn more about it. It’s definitely a thought provoking topic and I hope that more can be done to try and help the situation.

Overall I found this a very interesting read whose underlying message will stay with me for a long time. There are some very funny moments in the book but also some shocking, dramatic ones which made the story seem very realistic. I think some of the more clever parts of this book, judging from other reviews, went over my head but I still enjoyed the story as it was fascinating to get a fly on the wall glimpse into a couple’s lives.

Huge thanks to Laura Brooke from Hutchinson for my copy of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author:

Carys Bray was awarded the Scott Prize for her debut short-story collection, Sweet Home. Her first novel, A Song for Issy Bradley, was chosen for Radio 4’s Book at Bedtime and was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and winner of the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2015. She lives in Southport with her husband and four children.

Good morning everyone, wishing you all a happy Monday. Today on Music Monday I’m featuring I’m Too Tired by Plastic Sun. I’m a huge fan of this song and I’m probably responsible for most of the listens on Spotify. One of the band members, Joshua Woo aka Plastic Josh is also an amazing streamer on Twitch. I always look forward to his streams as they are a great way to relax after a hard day.

Joshua Woo (PlasticJosh) is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist from the UK specialising in Rock/Alternative/Indie music. With a range extending four octaves, he can often be found almost passing out from holding on ridiculously high notes for way longer than he should. He also plays some instruments: guitar, piano, harmonica and bass and does live loops using Ableton. He writes and releases his own music with his band Plastic Sun. Josh streams Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7pm BST with the occasional weekend stream.

Josh’s streams are always very interactive and great fun to watch. He does a mix of covers and originals as well as some remixes which are very enjoyable. Josh also does some themed streams which feature a band or songs that fit a specified occasion or holiday. Below is the YouTube video featuring highlights from his recent Halloween stream.

If you would like to watch Josh’s stream in Twitch, please click on the link below. It’s free to watch and a great way to spend a winter’s evening! His next themed stream is planned for the last Friday in November and will feature songs from The Beatles.

http://www.twitch.tv/plasticjosh?sr=a

Music:

I’m a bit of an indie girl so I’m a huge fan of most of Plastic Sun’s music and the covers that Josh does. Below are some of my favourite songs from Plastic Sun/ Josh that I thoroughly recommend listening too!

How To Listen:

Plastic Sun’s music is available to listen on a wide range of streaming platforms!

Spotify:

Amazon Music:

Check out Plastic Sun on Amazon Music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B07PCWMNVW?ref=dm_sh_9o0F8CfUSPOOeYwJT93rb9Wzw

Apple Music:

Deezer:

https://www.deezer.com/en/track/1072485912

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQvxYm8bdhGrDx5ZaETKKQ

Happy Listening!

Book Synopsis:

Four friends. One luxury getaway. The perfect murder.

‘Pure adrenaline’ ERIN KELLY

‘An intense thriller’ HEAT

‘A chilling debut, wonderfully paced’ WOMAN AND HOME

French Alps, 1998

Two young men ski into a blizzard… but only one returns.

20 years later

Four people connected to the missing man find themselves in that same resort. Each has a secret. Two may have blood on their hands. One is a killer-in-waiting.

Someone knows what really happened that day.

And somebody will pay.

An exciting new debut for anyone who loves Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and C.L. Taylor.

The Chalet is available in ebook and paperback now. The ebook is currently only 99p. You can purchase your copy using the link below or through your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

The Chalet was a gripping and intriguing read which is hard to believe is a debut novel. This book is going to be hard to review as I don’t want to give anything away.

Firstly the author does a great job in setting the scene and her vivid descriptions helped me to visualise the stunning French Alps perfectly in my mind. Despite not being a huge fan of skiing I found myself wishing I was there alongside the characters, soaking in the amazing scenery and staying in the wonderful chalet!

The characters were all interesting creations who I enjoyed following throughout the book. They were all fairly unlikeable characters and I didn’t have any one character that I warmed towards. I thought this was great as it meant I was able to relax into the story and just enjoy what unfolded. The twist about half way through was very interesting and gave the reader information about what was happening before any of the characters knew. This helped add another layer of tension to the story and ensured I kept reading as I wanted to see what was happening.

This book is incredibly fast paced with lots of twists that kept me gripped until the end. There was always something going on to help keep my interest and although I tried to ration the pages I raced through the book in a couple of days. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Catherine Cooper is a freelance journalist writing for many national newspapers and magazines, specialising in travel. Most recently she has written several ski pieces for the Guardian and is currently compiling a 50 best family holidays round up for the Telegraph. She also makes regular appearances as a talking head on daytime TV. She lives in France with her husband and two teenage children, and is a keen skier.

Book Synopsis:

Exploring his own dark memories may be the only way to find a killer

When Bergen PI Varg Veum finds himself at the funeral of a former classmate on a sleet-grey December afternoon, he’s unexpectedly reunited with his old friend Jakob guitarist of the once-famous 1960s rock band The Harpers and his estranged wife, Rebecca, Veum’s first love.

Their rekindled friendship is thrown into jeopardy by the discovery of a horrific murder, and Veum is forced to dig deep into his own adolescence and his darkest memories, to find a motive and a killer.

Tense, vivid and deeply unsettling, Fallen Angels is the spellbinding, award-winning thriller that secured Gunnar Staalesen’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost crime writers.

Fallen Angels is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

Fallen Angels is a rich, satisfying and thought provoking read which is a great addition to the series.

Firstly this isn’t a fast paced thriller but I actually quite liked that as it gave me time to understand the characters and the setting more. The reader is given time to understand Varg’s past, his relationships and the impact they have had throughout his life. I felt this was a nice touch and gave me a more in-depth look into how the character thinks and what makes him tick.

The story is told in two timelines one following the investigation in the present day (1980s) and the other flashing back to Varg’s past in the 1960’s. I liked that both timelines managed to be distinctive with little details of the era shining through. It was very interesting to see how differently things were done and how people used to think. Some of the scenes did have me rolling my eyes, as if people acted like that now they’d get themselves into trouble.

The tension in the book slowly increases as we discover more about what is going on. There are some quite dark parts to the book which might not be to everyone’s taste, however I felt they were more implied then anything else so the reader is spared the more gruesome details. The ending was shocking but ultimately satisfying and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orenda for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

One of the fathers of Nordic Noir, Gunnar Staalesen was born in Bergen, Norway, in 1947. He made his debut at the age of twenty-two with Seasons of Innocence and in 1977 he published the first book in the Varg Veum series. He is the author of over twenty titles, which have been published in twenty-four countries and sold over four million copies. Twelve film adaptations of his Varg Veum crime novels have appeared since 2007, starring the popular Norwegian actor Trond Espen Seim. Staalesen has won three Golden Pistols (including the Prize of Honour) and Where Roses Never Die won the 2017 Petrona Award for crime fiction. He lives with his wife in Bergen.

Don Bartlett completed an MA in Literary Translation at the University of East Anglia in 2000 and has since worked with a wide variety of Danish and Norwegian authors, including Jo Nesbø and Gunnar Staalesen s Varg Veum series: We Shall Inherit the Wind, Wolves in the Dark and the Petrona award-winning Where Roses Never Die. He also translated Faithless, the previous book in Kjell Ola Dahl s Oslo Detective series for Orenda Books. He lives with his family in a village in Norfolk.

Book Synopsis:

Stretching for around thirty miles to the coast, the Mersey Estuary is perhaps best known for Liverpool’s spectacular waterfront and the Mersey Ferry. But there are many other hidden gems along its shores, including waterside parks, sandy beaches and poignant reminders of the days of steamships and sail.

The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide provides suggestions for places to visit along the estuary, from its upper reaches in Warrington to where it meets the sea at New Brighton and the Sefton Coast. Along the way, the book calls in at Widnes, Runcorn, Ellesmere Port, Port Sunlight, Birkenhead, Liverpool and Formby Point, and includes an interesting mix of walks and cycling routes, ranging from a couple of hours to a full day out. Readers will also discover some less well-known sights, including lighthouses, a castle, medieval buildings, and a transporter bridge, one of only eight left in the world.

For those interested in the history, environment and wildlife of the estuary, there is also an introduction to its nature reserves, geology, canals and bird life. Other topics include the development of the Port of Liverpool, including its famous Liver Birds, and how the estuary has been cleaned up in recent decades so that even salmon have returned. There are also tips on birdwatching and photography and on where to see seals and the Mersey’s little-known tidal bore.

With stunning colour photographs, The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide is a must-read for travellers to the area and local residents alike.

Note: some images have been removed compared to the printed version.

Important: for the latest health advice and travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, please refer to the website of your national health authority. In the UK, that is the National Health Service ( https://www.nhs.uk).

The Mersey Estuary is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below or from your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

I had actually been planning a trip to Liverpool for my 40th birthday so it was rather serendipitous that this tour came up!

The book is a good size that would easily fit in most bags or maybe even a big coat pocket. It is divided into five sections so that it is easy to find information on the things you are interested in and why you might have chosen to visit the area in the first place.

The text is divided by clear headings and broken up with some colourful, interesting pictures. The author has helpfully included some walks and cycle trails around the area with clear maps to help you find your way so you won’t get lost. There are some truly lovely animal pictures towards the end of the book which are definitely worth seeing and I was amazed and some of the animals you can see in the area.

Overall I would really recommend this clear, concise guide for anyone wanting to visit the Merseyside area. It would be very useful in both planning your visit and a guide whilst you were there.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Matador for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Kevin Sene has an extensive knowledge of the maritime history, wildlife and environment of the estuary. A scientist who has worked widely overseas, he is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He is a regular visitor to the area, having previously lived in Warrington for many years.

Book Synopsis:

CHRISTMAS, 1918.

The war may be over, but for newly reunited sisters Babs and Beth, peace has yet to find them. Having been taken from their mother at a young age and then separated themselves for twelve years, their family has encountered enough pain to last a lifetime.

As the festive season approaches, they realise their struggles are far from over, but if they want to look forward to a happy future together they must work to put the past behind them. Will the joys of Christmas be enough to unite their family once more?

The third and final book in the Sandgronians trilogy by Maggie Mason. The perfect read for fans of Mary Wood, Kitty Neale and Nadine Dorries.

My Review:

Frequent visitors to my blog will know I’m a huge fan of this author and her amazing books. So you can imagine my excitement when I got invited on the blog tour for her latest book.

The story is told from the point of view of the twins, Beth and Barbs as well their wonderful mother Tilly. They’ve definitely had a hard life and I found it interesting to learn about all they had been through. I liked the way the author subtly let’s the reader know all that’s happened without doing huge recaps that can be very annoying. I found it very enjoyable following the three strong and determined woman through the book.

The author does a great job of setting the scene in this book and I soon felt absorbed into the twins lives. They have a wonderful group of family and friends which were lovely to read about. I found myself wishing that I knew the characters in real life, an often thought how nice it would be to be part of their tightknit group. The Christmas celebrations every year were a nice touch and I so enjoyed reading about them. They were a beautiful heartwarming moment in the book and it was so nice to see everyone together on a special day.

Overall I really enjoyed this absorbing read which was full of drama, emotion and heartwarming moments. The story unfolds at a great pace and there was always something happening to keep me glued to the page. I can’t believe I’ve missed the first two books in the series and I’ll be going back to read them as soon as possible.

Huge thanks to Francesca from Little Brown for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. I can’t wait to read more from Maggie Mason!

About The Author:

Maggie Mason also writes saga as Mary Wood. Mary was born the thirteenth child of fifteen and throughout her life had various factory, office and home-based jobs, finally becoming a probation service officer before she retired. Mary married in 1963 and with her husband Roy has four children, eight grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren. She got her first book deal in 2013 and has not looked back since.

Book Synopsis:

A moving and courageous exploration of belonging and finding home in a rapidly-changing world from the critically acclaimed author of Shelter.

Jo grew up in the Forest of Dean, but she was always the one destined to leave for a bigger , brighter future. When her parents retire from their butcher’s shop, she returns to her beloved community to save the family legacy, hoping also to save herself. But things are more complex than the rose-tinted version of life which sustained Jo from afar.

Tessa is a farrier, shoeing horses two miles and half a generation away from Jo, further into the forest. Tessa’s experience of the community couldn’t be more different. Now she too has returned, in flight from a life she could have led, nursing a secret and a past filled with guilt and shame.

Compelled through circumstance to live together, these two women will be forced to confront their sense of identity, and reconsider the meaning of home.

How To Belong is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the link below or from your local indie bookstore.

Book Synopsis:

How To Belong is a beautifully written, engrossing story about friendship and what it means to belong. I was a huge fan of this author’s first book so I was very excited to see what she came out with next.

The story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Jo and Tessa. I warmed to these two characters quickly and felt a lot of sympathy towards them as I have been in a similar situation. It’s hard to return to your home town and find everything altered or that everyone has moved on. I thought the author did a great job of describing the feelings the two girls must have felt. They seemed very real to me and I wished that I could reach into the book and give them both a hug at times.

This isn’t a particularly fast paced book but it is a very engrossing one and quite a poignant one at times as we watch the two characters trying to find their place in the community. I enjoyed seeing the two woman become closer and giving each other the support they both needed.

Overall I really enjoyed this heartwarming read which had a lovely message at it’s centre of its never to late to find your place in life. I grew very fond of the two main characters and I felt very involved in their lives. I wanted to keep reading to find out how things ended up for them.

Huge thanks to Tracy for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Zaffre for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Sarah Franklin grew up in rural Gloucestershire and has lived in Austria, Germany, the USA and Ireland. She lectures in publishing at Oxford Brookes University and has written for the Guardian, the Irish Times, Psychologies magazine and The Pool.